If you are a student looking for an Arizona Title IX lawyer, this page links to our guides for all three Arizona public research universities: the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. Each guide explains how that university handles a formal Title IX sexual harassment complaint or student conduct charge against a student.
Each university runs its own process under its own policy. The written notice you receive, and the policy version it names, control your case.
How Arizona universities handle Title IX cases
While all three public universities operate under the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) Student Code of Conduct (Policy 5-308) for general student discipline, each campus maintains its own specific Title IX grievance procedure:
- The University of Arizona (Tucson) uses its Interim Procedures for Formal Complaints of Title IX Sexual Harassment, administered through the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), while general conduct cases go through the Dean of Students disciplinary procedures.
- Arizona State University uses P20a, the Interim Grievance Process for Formal Complaints of Title IX Sexual Harassment. A separate procedure, P20, covers reports under other ASU policies.
- Northern Arizona University uses its Title IX Sexual Harassment Procedure in the University Policy Library, with its Sexual Misconduct Policy supplying definitions and sanction ranges. Cases outside the Title IX definition may go through a separate student complaint procedure.
The procedures share several core features. At all three schools, a report alone does not start the formal Title IX grievance process; a formal complaint does. All three send a written hearing notice at least 20 days before a live hearing, allow your advisor to be an attorney, and prohibit students from personally cross-examining each other. At the University of Arizona and NAU, only Hearing Advisors conduct cross-examination (with a university-appointed advisor provided without fee if you do not have one), while ASU uses your advisor or an ASU-provided Hearing Attendant.
One critical difference is how days are counted. ASU’s P20a defines days as calendar days, with specific rules for weekends, holidays, and academic breaks. The University of Arizona’s interim Title IX procedures define day counts in university business days, and NAU’s procedure states most of its response and appeal clocks in business days.
Arizona university guides
- University of Arizona: OIE interim Title IX procedures provide 10 business days to respond to the initial investigative report, at least 20 business days’ notice before a live hearing in front of a Hearing Officer, and 10 business days to appeal a determination or dismissal to the Provost and Title IX Coordinator (with sanctions stayed during appeal).
- Arizona State University: P20a lists an effective date of September 10, 2021. It allows 15 calendar days after a written determination or dismissal notice is issued to file an appeal or a statement. A challenge to an emergency removal has its own five-calendar-day window.
- Northern Arizona University: a three-member trained panel hears Title IX cases. The procedure allows 15 business days after issuance to appeal a responsibility decision, and 10 business days after a dismissal notice to file an appeal or statement.
Common questions
Do the University of Arizona, ASU, and NAU follow the same Title IX policy?
No. Each university publishes its own Title IX procedure, and each has a separate route for non-Title IX conduct under its campus procedures and the ABOR Student Code of Conduct.
Is the appeal deadline the same at all three schools?
No. The University of Arizona allows 10 university business days to appeal a determination or dismissal. ASU’s P20a allows 15 calendar days. NAU’s procedure allows 15 business days for a responsibility decision and 10 business days for a dismissal. Always use the deadline stated in your decision or dismissal notice.
Does a Title IX dismissal end the case?
Not necessarily. At all three schools, a dismissal from the Title IX process does not block the university from pursuing charges under its general student code of conduct or non-Title IX equity procedures.
Talk to an Arizona Title IX lawyer
If you have received a notice from the University of Arizona, ASU, or NAU, you can contact us to talk about your situation and the documents you have.
Disclaimer
This page is general information only and is not legal advice. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any university named on this page. Reading this page or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. University policies and procedures change. The notice you receive and the policy version it names control your case, so check your notice.
